Insider Brief
- In a recent briefing paper, the World Economic Forum highlighted several core principles to improve Space Situational Awareness data sharing and ensure safer space operations.
- Core principles recommended include full transparency, data sharing from spacecraft operators, government and private collaboration, and global engagement.
- The paper also advocates for the continued use of the United Nations’ Guidelines for the Long-term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities.
As the number of active satellites in Earth’s orbit skyrockets, the space industry faces increasing challenges related to space congestion and collision risks. Today, there are over 9,800 operational satellites, compared to fewer than 1,500 in 2014. This rapid growth in space activity, involving more than 80 nations, has made space situational awareness (SSA) essential to ensuring safety and sustainability in space.
What is Space Situational Awareness?
SSA is the ability to track and predict the movements of space objects, identifying potential collisions before they happen. This technology plays a critical role in preventing space debris, which poses a serious threat to spacecraft and operational satellites. Accurate SSA information allows operators to navigate safely and avoid accidents, making space more predictable and stable.
Space Situational Awareness Data and Information Sharing Principles Briefing Paper
In a recent briefing paper, the World Economic Forum highlighted several core principles for improving SSA data sharing and ensuring safer space operations. Here are some key takeaways from the paper:
The Importance of Data Sharing in SSA
Effective SSA relies heavily on data sharing. The briefing paper emphasizes the importance of satellite operators, governments, and private SSA providers collaborating to improve the accuracy of their predictions. By sharing conjunction warnings, data on satellite movements, and upcoming maneuvers, SSA providers and operators can coordinate more effectively. This collective effort reduces the chances of conflicting collision warnings and ensures operators can take timely action.
Barriers to Effective SSA Data Sharing
However, the briefing paper notes that despite the recognized need for collaboration, barriers to data sharing persist. Concerns over national security and commercial competitiveness often limit what can be shared. Many SSA systems depend on military or private data, which cannot always be openly distributed. Similarly, spacecraft operators may consider details about their satellites’ design or maneuvers proprietary. These challenges complicate efforts to build a comprehensive and accurate global space catalogue.
Building Global Data-Sharing Principles
To bridge these gaps, the briefing paper advocates for a set of global data-sharing principles. The principles emphasize openness while addressing valid national security and commercial competitiveness concerns. Key recommendations include:
Open by default: SSA data should be open by default, with restrictions applied only when necessary to protect security or competitive interests. If data is sensitive, reducing precision or limiting access to verified users should be considered to allow sharing while mitigating risks.
Data sharing from spacecraft operators: Satellite operators are encouraged to share key data such as ephemerides (spacecraft positions), contact details, maneuver plans, and spacecraft characteristics like size, mass, and maneuverability. Providing this information to at least one SSA provider allows for better predictions of satellite trajectories and potential collision risks.
Government and private SSA collaboration: Governmental SSA providers should share conjunction warnings and, where feasible, information about satellite catalogs and sensor observations. Coordination between private and government SSA systems is essential for consistent and accurate data.
Global engagement: To avoid conflicting information, SSA providers should share data with each other and spacecraft operators. This helps resolve discrepancies in collision predictions, improving overall space safety.
These principles, if adopted widely, could significantly reduce risks in space operations and support the sustainability of the increasingly crowded orbital environment.
Supporting SSA with International Guidelines
The United Nations’ Guidelines for the Long-term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities have helped set the stage for more coordinated efforts. Adopted in 2019 by the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), these guidelines are designed to ensure the long-term sustainability of outer space activities. They aim to maintain a stable and safe orbital environment that is essential for all nations, irrespective of their economic or scientific development.
One key principle in these guidelines is data sharing and transparency. By encouraging the voluntary sharing of information regarding spacecraft positions, orbital events, and space debris, the guidelines seek to improve the accuracy of SSA data. This increased transparency is vital for preventing collisions and ensuring space safety. Additionally, the guidelines promote the adoption of national regulations and international best practices to enhance space operations and reduce risks associated with the growing number of space activities.
Another significant aspect is the commitment to international cooperation. The guidelines encourage collaboration between nations, especially in capacity-building efforts for emerging spacefaring countries. By sharing knowledge, technology, and best practices, the global space community can collectively address challenges like space debris and overcrowding in low-Earth orbit.
These guidelines, combined with best practices from both government and industry, are pushing the space community toward more robust data sharing.
The Path Forward for Sustainable Space Safety
In the years ahead, collaboration between SSA providers and satellite operators will be crucial in preventing space collisions and ensuring that space remains a sustainable and secure environment for future missions. Sharing data, improving transparency, and committing to safety are the keys to achieving this vision.
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